Display container

ABSTRACT

In a display stand for containing and exhibiting flexible bags filled with flowable material so that the bags can be shaped. Front and rear vertical panels have openings formed therein, each opening having vertically extending and wavy side edges, the bags extending through the openings and resting upon lands of the wavy side edges.

United States Patent 11 1 Luck [111 3,709,371 Jan. 9, 1973 [S4] DISPLAY CONTAINER [75] Inventor: Raymond T. Luck, Chicago, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Kraftco Corporation, New York,

[22] Filed: March 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 126,153

[52] US. Cl. 7.....211/49 D, 108/152, 312/42, 312/196, 312/279 [51] Int. Cl ..A47f 7/28, A47f 1/00 [58] Field ofSearch..211/49 S, 49 R, 49 D; 221/305; 312/279, 42,196,102,128,111,186,107, 312; 108/106, 92,151,152 X [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,786,392 12/1930 Kemp 2.....312/42 3,178,138

4/1965 Hessdoerfer ..108/152 UX 2,002,339 5/1935 Copeman ..108/152 X 2,152,609 3/1939 Stevenson... 312/196 X 2,227,892 1/1941 Soldan 312/111 X 3,338,646 8/1967 Harvey 211/49 D'X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Abraham Frankel Attorney-Fitch, Even, Tabin & Luedeka [57] ABSTRACT In a display stand for containing and exhibiting flexible bags filled with flowable material so that the bags can be shaped. Front and rear vertical panels have openings formed therein, each opening having vertically extending and wavy side edges, the bags extending through the openings and resting upon lands of the wavy side edges.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 7/1960 Germany .312/111 PATENTEUJAN sums 3.709.371

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PAIENTEDJAH ems 3.709371 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIGZ INVENTOR @Mmw Z [061! FM, $4 M: I

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DISPLAY CONTAINER The present invention relates to display apparatus and, more particularly, to a display container for stacking and exhibiting flexible bags filled with flowable material so that the bags may be shaped.

Flexible bags fabricated of cellophane, polyethylene,

. or other packaging material and filled with flowable abuse. If a number of different items are to be displayed in one place, the items occasionally are mixed by consumers, thereby making it more difficult for subsequent consumers to choose the items that they desire.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved display stand for containing and exhibiting flexible bags.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved display container for stacking and exhibiting flexible bags filled with flowable material so that the bags may be shaped.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved display container for stacking and exhibiting bags of candy wherein the bags are firmly but releasably held within the container and wherein the container is balanced to provide stability.

These and other objects of the invention will become.

apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display stand for containing and exhibiting flexible bags filled with flowable material and having a display container forming a portion thereof;

F IG 2 is a plan view of a blank used to form the dis play container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a broken, perspective view of a portion of the display container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a broken, perspective view of another portion of the display container;

FIG. 5 is a broken, perspective view of the portion of the display container shown in FIG. 4, but illustrating a flap thereof in its extended position; and

FIG. 6 is a broken, perspective view of still another portion of the display container.

Briefly, and with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is shown a display stand generally designated by the reference numeral 10for containing and exhibiting flexible bags 11 filled with a flowable material such as candy. The display stand 10 shown includes a tablelZ and two spaced elongated support members or poles 14 extending upwardly from and connected to opposite ends of the table 12. A display container 16, preferably fabricated of corrugated paperboard and adapted to receive and exhibit the flexible bags I l, is connected to the support members 14 such that the display container 16 is supported and maintained in an upright position upon the table 12. A canopy 19 is shown which extends above the container 16 and is connected to the support members 14.

More particularly, and with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawing, there can be seen a blank 20 from which the display container 16 is set up. The blank 20 is rela tively elongated and is divided longitudinally into a front panel 22, a first side panel 24, a rear panel 26, a second side panel 28, and a flap 30. The panels and flap are respectively separated by score lines 32, 34, 36 and 38 extending transversely to the longitudinal dimension of the blank. When the blank is folded longitudinally about the respective score lines, the panels and flap form a rectangular enclosure, with the flap 30 being glued or otherwise connected to the front panel 22.

Another score line 40 is disposed longitudinally of the blank and transversely to the score lines 32, 34, 36

and 38 to define sections which comprise a top closure 41 for the display container 16. The score line 40 provides the front panel 22 with a top flap 42, the side panel 24 with an end flap 44, the rear panel 26 with a top flap 46, and the side panel 28 with an end flap 48. The flaps 42, 44,46 and 48, when folded along the score line 40, provide the top closure 41.

The top flap 46 has a connecting tab 49 formed along a the edge thereof opposite the edge defined by the score line 40 and the top flap 42 has a slot 50 formed therein adjacent the edge defined by the score line 40. When the blank 20 is folded into the display container 16, the top flap 46 overlies the top flap 42 and the connecting tab 49 is positioned to be placed within the slot 50 so as to lock the top flap 46 in place. As shown in FIG. 3, the tab 49 is proportioned to extend into the slot 50 and is locked therein by projections 51 extending from the lateral edges of the tab and engaging the underside of the top flap 42.

It is a feature that the top flap 46 has an aperture 52 formed in its central region. Similarly, the top flap 42 has an aperture'53 formed in its central region. When the top flap 46 overlaps the top flap 42 to form the top closure 41, the apertures 52 and 53 are aligned and define an opening into the interior of the display container 16. An elongated support member 55 (shown in phantom) may be disposed through the aligned apertures 52 and 53 to maintain and support the display container 16 in an upright position. An elongated member may also be disposed through the aligned apertures 52 and 53 for other purposes, e.g. the positioning of a second display container above the first.

The front and rear panels 22 and 26 each have an extension 54 and 56, respectively, at. the opposite edges thereof from the top closure 41. When the display container 16 is assembled from the blank 20, the extensions 54 and 56 at the bottom edges of the front and rear panels 22 and 26 are in substantially parallel planes. A pair of slots 58 and 60 (FIG. 1) are formed in the upper surface of the display table 12 in substantially parallel alignment and are spaced a distance apart equal to the spacing between the extensions 54 and 56. The extensions 54 and 56 are adapted to fit within the slots 58 and 60 in the table and together with the elongated support members I4 serve to maintain the display container 16 in an upright position upon the table.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawing, the means by which the display container, 16 is primarily maintained and supported in an upright position by the elongated support members 14 is illustrated. Each side panel 24 and 28 is provided with a flap 62 hingedly connected thereto. Each flap 62 is formed by slitting the side panel 24 or 28 along three sides of the flap 62.

The slit extends a distance along parallel edges of the side panel and across the breadth of the side panel. The slit lines are designated 63a, b and c. The hinges for the flaps 62 extend at score lines 65 along the fourth side, i.e. across the breadth of the side panel parallel to the slit line 63c. Preferably, the score line 65 defines the upper edge of the flap so that the flap folds upwardly. Each flap 62 is pivotable about the score line 65 from a position wherein it lies in the plane of the respective side panel 24 or 28 (FIG. 4) to a position normal to its respective panel (FIG. 5). The flaps 62 may have rounded corners (as shown) or squared corners. Each flap 62 has an aperture 64 in its central region, the aperture being of sufficient dimensions and of proper configuration to receive one of the elongated support members 14. In the embodiment shown, the support member 14 is circular in cross-section and correspondingly the aperture 64 is circular. When a flap 62 is disposed in its position normal to its respective panel by folding along the score line 65, an elongated support member 14 can extend through the respective aperture 64 in the flap 62 and thereby support and maintain the display container 16 in an upright position.

It should be apparent that the flaps which comprise the means for supporting the display container can be disposed in the front and rear panels as well as in the side panels and that only one flap having an aperture is necessary for the maintenance of the display container in an upright position. However, by employing the preferred two or more supporting points, the display container 16 is prevented from tipping over or rotating upon the display table 12. Moreover, locating the flaps on the side panels 24 and 28 results in a more esthetic and balanced appearance. The elongated support members might also extend through the interior of the container between the flaps in the respective side panels, when in their position shown in FIG. 4, to mount the container in another form of display stand.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the front and rear panels 22 and 26 of the display container 16 each contain a plurality of elongated openings 66. The flexible bags 11 are stacked within the openings 66 in the container 16. Each panel 22 and 26 preferably contains four openings 66 extending vertically within the panels and substantially between their upper and lower edges. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 66 in the respective front and rear panels correspond so that they are in register when the display container 16 is set up from the blank 20. Hence, one can see entirely through the assembled container when viewing from the front or back of the display container. Each of the openings 66 is defined by a top edge 68 generally parallel to the score line 40, a bottom edge 70 substantially parallel to the top edge 68 and a pair of wavy side edges 72 and 74 extending vertically between the top and bottom edges.

Each of the side edges 72 and 74 is generally sinusoidal and includes a plurality of grooves 76 alternating with a plurality of lands 78, the grooves 76 ex tending away from one another to provide recesses for flexible bags and the lands 78 extending toward one another to provide division between superimposed bags. The gap between the front and rear panels 22 and 26 is of a depth such that the flexible bags can extend through the openings in both panels. The flexible bags 1 l are proportioned so that they are of sufficient length to extend across the gap between the front and rear panels and concurrently through the openings 66 in the panels 22 and 26. Moreover, the openings are of a breadth such that the sides of the flexible bags rest upon lands 78 of the sinusoidal edges 72 and 74 which define each of the openings 66. Hence, the flexible bags 11 are supportable within the grooves 76 of the display container 16 and can be readily viewed therein.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 of the drawings, a tongue 80 comprises a portion of material remaining upon forming each opening 66 in the blank 20. The tongues 80 prevent the flexible bags 11 stacked within the respective openings 66 of the display container 16 from falling through the bottom of the container. Each tongue 80 is hingedly connected to the bottom edge 70 of the opening and is adapted to be folded so that it extends normal to the front and rear panels 22 and 26 and across the gap between the panels 22 and 26. In forming each tongue in the blank 20, a cut 82 defines the upper edge of the tongue 80 and is formed in the blank contemporaneously with slits defining the edges 72 and 74 of each opening 66. When the material of the blank within the area defined by the cut 82 and the slits defining the edges 72 and 74 of the opening 66 is removed from the blank, the tongue remains and also has generally sinusoidal side edges. The score line defining the lower edge 70 of the opening also defines the lower edge of the tongue 80. It should be apparent that the tongues 80 can be formed from and hingedly connected to either the front or rear panel 22 or 26. They are long enough to rest on the bottom edge 70 of the opening 66 in the opposed panel.

In employing the display container 16 for stacking and exhibiting the flexible bags 11, the container 16 is formed from the blank 20 such that it is substantially box-shaped. The extensions 54 and 56 at the lower ends of the panels 22 and 26, respectively, are disposed within the slots 58 and 60 formed in the upper surface of the display table 12. The elongated support members 14 areconnected to the table 12 by suitable means, such as support flaps extending outwardly from the panels of the table, and extend through the apertures 64 in the flaps 62 projecting outwardly from the side panels 24 and 28 of the container. It is also contemplated that another elongated support member can extend through the registered apertures 52 and 53 in the top closure 41 of the container. The support members 14 are connected to the canopy 19 in the illustrated embodiment, thereby completing assembly of the display stand 10. After the tongues 80 have been folded into a position normal to the front and rear panels 22 and 26, the bags 11 are stacked in horizontal position within the container 16 by being placed within the openings 66. The bags rest within the grooves 76 and upon the lands 78 provided by the side edges 72 and 74 of each opening 66. The bags extend through the container and the openings thereof and outwardly from the front and rear panels. The bags can only be removed from the top and the flexibility of the bags with flowable material therein permits removal of the top bags.

Thus, the present invention provides a display stand for containing and exhibiting flexible bags filled with flowable materials such as candy pieces. There is vupright position.

Although one form of the invention has been shown and described, it should be apparent that various modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For'example, the flaps 62 comprising the means for supporting the container in an upright position might be formed in the front and rear panels 22 and 26 rather than in the side panels 24 and 28 thereof.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A display container for stacking and exhibiting flexible bags filled with flowable material, comprising spaced front and rear panels, a top closure, and a pair of side panels connecting said front and rear panels and defining a gap therebetween, said front and rear panels each having at least one opening therein, said openings 'being in register, and the periphery of each said opening being defined by atop edge, a bottom edge parallel to said top edge and a pair of wavy side edges having a plurality of lands, the gap between said front and rear panels being of a depth such that the flexible bags extend through said openings in said front and rear panels and said openings being of a breadth such that the flexible bags rest upon the lands of said wavy side edges defining said openings.

2. A display container according to claim 1, wherein said openings are elongated and extend vertically within said front and rear panels and the flexible bags are stacked horizontally within said openings.

3. A display container according to claim 1, further comprising a tongue hingedly connected to said bottom edge defining the periphery of each said opening, said tongue extending normal to said front and rear panels and across the gap therebetween, said tongue preventing the flexible bags resting within said opening from falling through the bottom of said container.

4. A display container according to claim 1, further comprising at least one flap hingedly connected to each said side panel, each said flap being provided with an aperture therein and being positionable normal to said respective side panel, and a support member adapted to extend through each said aperture to support and maintain said container in an upright position.

5. A display container ac'cordingto claim 1, wherein said top closure is provided with an aperture therein and further comprising a support member adapted to extend through said aperture to support and maintain said container in an upright position. 

1. A display container for stacking and exhibiting flexible bags filled with flowable material, comprising spaced front and rear panels, a top closure, and a pair of side panels connecting said front and rear panels and defining a gap therebetween, said front and rear panels each having at least one opening therein, said openings being in register, and the periphery of each said opening being defined by a top edge, a bottom edge parallel to said top edge and a pair of wavy side edges having a plurality of lands, the gap between said front and rear panels being of a depth such that the flexible bags extend through said openings in said front and rear panels and said openings being of a breadth such that the flexible bags rest upon the lands of said wavy side edges defining said openings.
 2. A display container according to claim 1, wherein said openings are elongated and extend vertically within said front and rear panels and the flexible bags are stacked horizontally within said openings.
 3. A display container according to claim 1, further comprising a tongue hingedly connected to said bottom edge defining the periphery of each said opening, said tongue extending normal to said front and rear panels and across the gap therebetween, said tongue preventing the flexible bags resting within said opening from falling through the bottom of said container.
 4. A display container according to claim 1, further comprising at least one flap hingedly connected to each said side panel, each said flap being provided with an aperture therein and being positionable normal to said respective side panel, and a support member adapted to extend through each said aperture to support and maintain said container in an upright position.
 5. A display container according to claim 1, wherein said top closure is provided with an aperture therein and further comprising a support member adapted to extend through said aperture to support and maintain said container in an upright position. 